shayenu Reviews

Argylle (2024)

Argylle - It's really dumb, but it's also fun.

[7/10 · 31 January 2024]

Have you ever watched a movie thats so absurd and brainless that it actually works? Argylle belongs to that group - as Matthew Vaughns latest is gladly a crowd-pleasing action flick that is full of smart twists and epic action sequences. There's no doubt that it does get ridicule at times, with huge logic gaps and absurdity - but this movie embraces its silliness, dedicating its writing to plot-twists that are so well thought out that you would never guess them coming - making Argylle an action movie that stands out enough to be enjoyable.

When the movie started rolling, I at first couldn't get invested in its storyline. The narrative seemed generic andd full of irrefutable plot holes. However, I remembered Matthew Vaughns genius. What he sold us in Kick Ass and Kingsman were ridiculously entertaining and thoughtful action flicks, and I had hope Argylle was going to turn in to the same - and boy, it did. The best aspect of this movie is, no doubt, its incredible and provocative plot-twists which really add this sense of unpredictability to this film and keeps you smiling always. These really start to kick off from the half-hour mark - whenever you predict whats about to happen, we get the total opposite - and there's clever hints skillfully layered around foreshadowing and setting up these twists to make you smile when they happen. It's definitely arguable from another perspective that they aren't justified enough, as they do question more potential plot holes - however this is what adds to the unpredictability and distinct nature of this movie

The ensemble cast also just adds to the fun. Everyone does a great job, but Sam Rockwell's character is the most entertaining and easiest to root for.

This fun isn't without its issues, though - as its main one is its lack of any emotion or layers within our characters. They are often unconvincing and bland, with the only form of character dynamics coming from our protagonist and their partner in crime. Apart from that though, we have no reason to care for our characters, any of them in particular. The CGI is often horrific at times too. It shows its decency in some fight-scenes, but in others it is truly appalling.

Ultimately, and despite the movies issues, Argylle and It's absurd plot (that I don't want to talk about as there are just too many twists!) will keep all audiences engaged, purely thanks to Vaughn and the writing teams genius plot-twists that make this movie one to definitely check out, standing out from the hoard of movies in its genre. And thats just what we need from it, especially in this day and age where politics and global issues distract us from having a good time!

Barbie (I) (2023)

Barbie: an enjoyable mess.

[7/10 · 20 July 2023]

Barbie is enjoyable, thats for sure, but it brings some problems such as the films plot, which is all over the place, and goes in a lot of unlikable directions at times. However, this doesn't bring the film down, as there are enjoyable and smart aspects of the film that climb the hurdles to make Barbie an enjoyable summer watch that caters for all ages!

The film kicks things off in Barbie land, and its here where audiences will start to fall in love with the aesthetics of the film. Astonishing set designs,usage of visual fx and cinematography really help us step into the shoes of a Barbie doll. The first act of the film really focus on this idea, and almost shows off the impressive work that has been put into the creation of this sublime world.

It is when we delve further into this plot though that we start to see issues. The whole vibe the film gives off and its tone surprisingly shifts into something much darker and political when the real world gets involved. It is definitely far from unwatchable though, and the charm of the characters and the humor actually make this specific part of the storyline enjoyable. Despite being fun, the story goes off track a lot, completely ignoring any form of logic to take risks by giving off a little too many messages that only makes the plot more predictable and cliché.

The individual, interior journeys these characters go on though is the clear standout of the film for me. The arcs of almost all characters are played out really cleverly, and whilst the story as a whole is a mess, the developing dynamics between the Barbie's and the Ken's make this film worth watching alone. What is done with these characters is really fitting to some of the messages the film tries to give off, even though it may seem there are too many to process.

Acting is phenomenal. Both Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are CLEAR standouts, yet all cast members have their moments.

Ultimately, Barbie does get messy, especially when the real-world comes to play. Yet its the exploration of Barbie Land and what it means to be a barbie that make this a fun, yet somewhat perceptive, summer watch!

R (2023)

Another great indie film

[8/10 · 14 July 2023]

'R' is a great film. And although there are a few small issues, it does a fantastic job amalgamating different genres and tones to create a humorous, engaging, well-paced watch that manages to pack lots of detail and character depth - allowing its weaker elements to be forgotten about as the credits roll.

Diving into 'R' , you'll notice the film is very dialogue heavy, which can often be disengaging for certain audience members. Whilst this was not necessarily a problem for myself (as I was intrigued by the premise), the humor integrated into the film really helped me to enjoy this watch a bit more. And for those who dislike heaps of dialogue, this humor will help keep them engaged as they watch.

Although this dialogue might cause some problems, it actually helps the story become a lot more character-driven. Characters develop through their dynamics and conversations with other characters and you can really sense the depth and detail that was put in to them. What Pollak does here is the main gem of the film, as he clearly sets out and crafts clear arcs for our main characters and even supporting characters in the process.

In terms of the story, 'R' is very unique. Before watching, I pondered how a film like this would play out, and thought it would take a cliched route. Yet I was wrong, Its clever how certain plot beats and elements are connected and flow really nicely to complete the film. And although it isnt the perfect story in any way - its great to see how such a simple premise (a man making a movie) can be elevated to create a film with such detail and even more enjoyable plot points/ turn of events.

Acting is good at most parts, and their are some moments that feel off .However the standouts for me are Brad Pollak (who brilliantly plays the lead character Director Gordon Flemyng), and J'amore ward, who does a sublime job portraying a lead actor in the film. Eric Roberts and Oliver Cooper play small parts in the film, yet they still shine.

Aesthetically, there are problems as this is a low-budget film, however the cinematography and uniqueness in shots really encapsulate a 60's vibe extremely well. Especially considering the budget!

Ultimately, 'R' is a great watch, and although it may be a simple premise - it's Holden Pollaks beautiful crafting of characters and perfectly infused dialogue that keep the score up nice and high for me and make the premise even better than it is.

Rating 7.5/10.

Atrabilious

Atrabilious - a gem for its unique premise

[8/10 · 15 June 2023]

(Repost) Atrabilious , detailed, spoiler-free review:

Atrabilious is one of those movies that may not look great technically, but is actually a gem for its intriguing premise, character development and outstanding acting that elevate the film to overcome its issues!

Diving in to Atrabilious, It was, at first, difficult to get into and I had some pacing issues - but everything fell into its place thanks to an amazing screenplay written by Parker. The introduction to the eerie organization deemed Atrabilious built up lots of suspense from that point onwards, and I was curious to find out what was going to happen next at all times. I will mention though that I did feel there was a slight drag of dialogue at the beginning of the film, which may not engage audiences in the best way possible - yet this isn't a significant problem.

The premise itself is very unique, and the way it handles certain reveals along with the slow plot progression is fitting to the films tone.

Our protagonist, Steven, is a great character, and we explore his emotions in depth from the beginning of the film to the moment he met the people at Atrabilious- exploring the idea that he would do anything to save his son. Along with this great character development comes flawlessly portrayed supporting characters - with stellar forces such as Whoopi Goldberg & Jeffrey Wright involved in Parkers works . Despite this, my standouts are Leon Brown who immaculately brought our protagonist Steven to life, and Boone Jr who plays an incredible antagonist.

The element of mystery is big in this film. Almost everyone we encounter has a mysterious vibe to them that allows you to engage with the premise - you want to find out more about them.

Tech-wise, The visual FX and audio weren't the greatest, yet that comes down to budget. Saying this, though - it was clear every penny was spent wisely on the screen. Every shot filmed by William and the crew and every aspect from the lighting to the costume design was used effectively to connote meaning - despite the low budget!

At the end of the day, we watch films because of their story - and Atrabilious does not fail there, despite its technical issues!

Overall score: 7.9/10.

Ted Lasso: Mom City (2023) Season 3, Episode 11

The best episode of Television in a long, long time

[10/10 · 24 May 2023]

This episode was everything. Emotional, comedic, a ton of football and just consisted of all the elements that make the show good in the first place. Character development is at its peak in this episode just like the last - yet this episode pushes the story forward just a bit more, and sets up the best possible finale.

The choice to explore Jamie Tart was a brilliant one, and his arc was again assisted by Ted, who really was the gem of this episode alongside Jamie. We really got to understand that mentality is what wins you anything in life, its not about knowledge. Everyone had some form of development in this episode, and you could really resonate to this episode in particular, connect with it, and take something good for it that will impact you throughout your day positively- and thats why this show is such a blessing. This next episode is going to be immense. I just don't want this to end! Thank you, Apple TV/ Warner Brothers for this emotional ride.

The Mandalorian: Chapter 23: The Spies (2023) Season 3, Episode 7

Now no one can complain - apart from one thing.

[9/10 · 12 April 2023]

This episode was amazing, and no one can deny that. I felt everything was brought together beautifully and all the 'side quests' that we thought were irrelevant actually tied back in to the story and made a lot of sense. The action sequences were incredible, and the return of a certain character was immense. This reminded me of the Seasons 2 and 3 of the mandalorian, however, the only difference and the thing that is starting to bug me is that this episode makes it clear that Din Djarin is the side character for season 3, Bo-Katan takes the prominent lead at the frontier and it feels like Din and Grogu are honestly being neglected. Im not sure the finale can do much to change that but we're still in for a treat regardless and im excited to see how things play out.

Ted Lasso: (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea (2023) Season 3, Episode 2

This episode ticks off all the boxes

[9/10 · 22 March 2023]

Season 3 episode 2 is honestly one of my favorite episodes of the series entirely. It explores depth and emotions of almost all of our protagonists and takes them through some enticing development that keeps audiences engaged.

This episode reintroduces Trent Crimm, who I thought was brilliantly acted out by James Lance as he takes his character on a great journey- revealing a bit of his backstory and solidifying his relationships with others.

The story and plot of the episode is entirely character driven through their own emotional states, with no major (and barely minor) plot holes present.

Ultimately, season 3 episode 2 brings back the football, levels up on humor and for sure keeps you smiling throughout. Lets hope it stays like this as the season progresses.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)

Shazam! Fury of the gods does everything better than the first.

[7/10 · 15 March 2023]

Shazam! Fury of the gods is just as good as the first. With everything just elevated and taken beautifully from the prequel. The laughs this film have been adapted to make them generic to all audience ranges, not just targeted towards younger ages. CGI has been turned up a lot, and it's visible to see through the daughters of atlas and what they bring with them throughout the film.

Speaking of these daughters, - Anthea (played by Rachel Zegler) alongside Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) have one of the best character dynamics across both films. In these terms, I can praise Fury of the Gods for allowing its characters to go on nice arcs across the film - even giving us some insights to each individual member of the Shazamily.

On the other hand, there were times where I felt FOTG was getting a little too hectic. Certain plot points felt a bit silly, and there were moments in the film where I questioned the amount of silliness that the sequel provides. Sometimes, it was this silliness that drove the plot forward - which allowed audiences not to take the film as seriously, despite the higher stakes. Villain wise, Helen & Lucy's portrayals of the daughters of atlas were fairly good, but their characters (especially Liu's) were very one dimensional and we couldn't respect them as Villains. Rachel Zegler's Anthea was great, and she was the only one I felt for, however I wish she were involved in more fight scenes with the other daughters, as her potential would've improved the quality of these fights that were similar to the first films - not much of an improvement and still, in my opinion, quite weak compared to other superhero fight scenes.

The Shazamily was great, and the foster parents don't really act like ordinary parents but we can move from that. ( I did love their dynamic with Ashler Angels Billy, who was great in the film!)

Despite the weaknesses, Shazam! FOTG is a bunch of fun and provides a good time. I for sure want Zachary Levi and the team to return!

Locke & Key: The Snow Globe (2022) Season 3, Episode 1

Great start to the final season

[8/10 · 15 August 2022]

The first episode of season 3 wastes no time dragging us in to the action and tries to keep us entertained at all costs, showing us the potential power the antagonist (Gideon) holds.

It also introduces the characters again in a great way as per a season opener should, showing us the emotional states of our characters, The locke family, who have changed drastically since the second season, in a binge- worthy way

if all the episodes keep at this tempo, the whole season is surely to be more entertaining than the other seasons.

Locke & Key: Wedding Crashers (2022) Season 3, Episode 2

Loosing the magic

[5/10 · 13 August 2022]

I loved the last 2 seasons of Locke and Key, and the first episode of the third season to be fair, but I feel this episode was hardly advancing any plot, and it lost what made the show 'different' to others in that sense.

I gave it a 5 because I feel it was a somewhat forced episode, just thrown in there for no reason and to show the whole choreography/ turning out of a wedding which could've easily been shown in a few scenes but actually dragged on for a whole half hour.

Other things happened that were relevant to the plot whilst this wedding was going on, but what we were shown on screen for most of the time was relatively boring for a while and was definitely not the Locke and Key I pressed the play button to watch. Ultimately, viewers like us need to stick to the magic that Locke and key gave us for 2 seasons, not a wedding!